FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for powering lighting device in a motorcycle, characterized by the power for illuminating the lighting devices, being obtained from differential temperature between exhaust muffler cover and outer atmosphere.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] A highly efficient IC engine is only 30% efficient and rest all energy goes as waste out of which 30% goes as waste heat from exhaust system, 30% goes to coolant and lubrication system losses and 10% goes to unaccounted losses like friction. The present invention focuses mainly on recovering the waste heat energy from exhaust system by means of a thermoelectric generator, which works on the principle of Seebeck effect. Seebeck effect states that when a temperature difference is created across the junctions of two dissimilar metals, a potential difference will be produced across the junction and current will flow. This current produced due to the differential temperature between the exhaust muffler cover and the atmosphere is being used in the current invention to power lighting device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Waste heat energy recovery from exhaust system of a two-wheeler is disclosed in the current invention, wherein the heat energy can be recovered by means of a thermoelectric generator, which works on the principle of Seebeck Effect. Here, a thermoelectric module acts as a thermoelectric generator, which is placed in the muffler body. By recovering this waste heat and converting into electricity, it can be used for different applications such as illuminating the ground beneath the chassis for avoiding toppling of bike due to irregularity of surface below the vehicle during night-time and in dark places. In addition, during night-time after riding and switching off the vehicle, there is no indication that muffler surface is hot.

By the use of this system, an illuminating device can be used to indicate that muffler surface is hot, as TEG (thermoelectric generator) will be generating current due to temperature difference between atmosphere and muffler surface. Further, this also improves the conspicuity of the vehicle. This luminance can be a function of the temperature difference between the exhaust muffler hot surface and the atmosphere. Hence, once the exhaust muffler is cooled down and its temperature reaches the atmospheric temperature, the temperature difference will become zero; consequently the luminance will also become zero.

[0003] In another embodiment, the illuminating device can be placed between rider and pillion footrest to improve the rider's conspicuity. By using this apparatus, an arrangement can be made to make the hot surface of the exhaust muffler more visible and the sides of the motorcycle can be lit which will be an addition to safety and lateral visibility of the vehicle. The apparatus for illuminating device as disclosed in the current invention can also be used to illuminate any logo present on the motorcycle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 Shows a motorcycle which has an engine with an exhaust system.

Figure 2 Shows a thermoelectric module which is mounted on the exhaust muffler body.

Figure 3 Shows a thermoelectric module with protecting cover.

Figure 4 Shows an exhaust muffler with the mounted thermoelectric module.

Figure 5 Shows cross section view of an exhaust muffler with thermoelectric module mounted on it.

Figure 6 Shows an exhaust muffler with the exhaust guard mounted above the thermoelectric module.

Figure 7 Shows location for mounting thermoelectric module.

Figure 8 illustrates the illumination of sides of the motorcycle using thermoelectric module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A motorcycle 11 consists of a fuel tank 12, an engine 13, an exhaust muffler 12. The fuel stored inside the fuel tank is injected inside the engine 13 by means of an injector at proper timings.

The fuel that gets inside the engine undergoes combustion from which mechanical power is generated and it is transferred to the wheel 15. Since, combustion of fuel is an exothermic reaction; a lot of heat is generated in this process.

[0005] As shown in Figure 1, one end of the exhaust muffler 14 is connected to the exhaust port of the engine 13. The exhaust gas passes through a catalytic converter 16, which is placed inside the exhaust muffler 14. The carrying away of burnt and unburnt gases during combustion through the exhaust muffler, increases its temperature and consequently the exhaust muffler attains a very high temperature while the vehicle is in use.

[0006] As shown in Figure 2, a thermoelectric module 21, which acts as a thermoelectric generator is placed on the exhaust muffler 14 in such a way that it is placed after the catalytic converter 16 (shown in Figure 1) and anywhere in muffler body 14 so that time taken by the catalytic converter to reach its activation temperature is not delayed. The thermoelectric module 21 as shown in Figure 2 consists of thermoelectric module hot surface 22 and thermoelectric module cold surface 23. The thermoelectric module is mounted on the exhaust muffler body 14 such that the thermoelectric module hot surface 22 side is in contact with the muffler body. Thermoelectric module 21 also has two electrodes 24 for carrying the electric current to the illuminating device. The thermoelectric module 21 as shown in Figure 2 is also known as "peltier module" or "peltier plate module" commercially.

[0007] As shown in Figure 3, the thermoelectric module 21 has been put under a protecting cover 31. The protecting cover 31 is used to protect the thermoelectric module 21 from outside stones, which may hit the thermoelectric module while the vehicle is running. This protecting cover 31 has plurality of perforating holes 32, which are used for providing ventilation for airflow and heat convection from the hot thermoelectric module.

[0008] Figure 4 shows the exhaust muffler body 14, end cap of the exhaust muffler 41, the catalytic convertor 43, and the exhaust pipe 44 which connects to the exhaust port of the engine 13 as shown in Figure 1. Thermoelectric module 21 mounted on the exhaust muffler body 42 is also shown. In case an after treatment device i.e. a catalytic convertor is not used in exhaust system, the thermoelectric module 21 can be placed anywhere on the exhaust body 14.The number and size of thermoelectric modules that can be used in exhaust system of any vehicle depends upon the amount of required power to be generated from the exhaust heat energy and the power generating capacity of each thermoelectric module.

[0009] The thermoelectric module is placed in muffler body by means of a high temperature resistant sealant such that one face is exposed to atmosphere and another face is exposed to high temperature exhaust body. When the engine is switched on, the temperature of the muffler rises and a temperature difference is created between both the sides of the thermoelectric module. Based on the magnitude of temperature difference between hot and cold sides, power developed by module will vary. The output of the thermoelectric module 21 can be connected to an illuminating device or a power source or power storage depending upon the application for which it is used. The illumination device can be a Light Emitting Diode (LED), which can in any form like strips, or single LED's connected in series which can provide constant intensity light or varying intensity light based on power generated from thermoelectric module.

[00010] Figure 5 shows the cross section view of the exhaust pipe 14 as seen from the direction of flow of exhaust gas. The passage of flow of exhaust gas is through the baffle pipe 51. The thermoelectric module 21 as shown in Figure 5 can be placed anywhere on the periphery of the exhaust muffler body 14.

[00011] As shown in Figure 6, here, the thermoelectric module is placed below the exhaust guard 61 so that the thermoelectric module 21 is not visible from outside and a thermoelectric module protecting cover 31 is also placed so that the module is protected from any debris or stone. To maintain the temperature at cold side closer to that of atmospheric temperature when the vehicle is moving, a cut away is provided in exhaust guard 61 and the module cover 31 has perforated holes as shown in Figure 3.

[00012] Figure 7 shows the thermoelectric module 21 located at two of the various possible locations, mainly location 71 and location 72. Location 71 is below the exhaust guard and location 72 is just after the catalytic converter.

[00013] Figure 8 shows two possible applications of this invention mainly illuminating the sides 81 of the motorcycle that can be a safety measure for halting in dark roads and illumination of any logo 82 which may give aesthetic view to the motorcycle while riding in nights.

[00014] When the vehicle is running due to temperature difference between hot and cold side of the module, LED is illuminated thereby creating a lighting effect around the logo, which improves the aesthetic looks of the vehicle. When the vehicle is switched off, due to temperature difference between hot and cold surface, LED continues to illuminate till the difference between hot and cold junction of module becomes zero thereby acts as a warning that muffler surface is hot which improves the safety of customer and pedestrians.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for LED illumination in a two wheeler, comprising of: at least one thermoelectric module (21), wherein the said thermoelectric module (21) is mounted on exhaust muffler (14) body, wherein the said thermoelectric module (21) comprising of two surfaces namely thermoelectric module hot surface (22) and thermoelectric module cold surface (23) such that the said thermoelectric module hot surface (22) is in contact with said exhaust muffler (14) body while the other surface namely the said thermoelectric module cold surface (23) is open to the atmosphere.

The apparatus for LED illumination as claimed in claim 1 is mounted on the exhaust muffler (14) body of the said two wheeler such that heat is conducted from the said exhaust muffler (14) body to the said thermoelectric module hot surface (22) for operation of the said thermoelectric module (21).

The apparatus for LED illumination as claimed in claim 1 being mounted over the catalytic converter (16).

The apparatus for LED illumination as claimed in claim 1 being mounted over the exhaust muffler (14) module cover (31).